Why the false narrative surrounding Tennessee Vols baseball can officially end
The Tennessee Vols baseball team is off to a blistering start this season. Tennessee is currently 24-1 on the season (19-0 at home and 6-0 in the SEC). For a while, the narrative surrounding the Vols was that Tennessee's record was inflated because they play their home games at a hitter-friendly ballpark in Lindsey Nelson […]
The Tennessee Vols baseball team is off to a blistering start this season.
Tennessee is currently 24-1 on the season (19-0 at home and 6-0 in the SEC).
For a while, the narrative surrounding the Vols was that Tennessee's record was inflated because they play their home games at a hitter-friendly ballpark in Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
That narrative, however, has been destroyed in recent weeks.
For starters, the Volunteers swept Ole Miss in Oxford this past weekend by outscoring the Rebels 26-7 in a three-game series.
If that wasn't enough to convince folks that Tennessee isn't thriving because of their home stadium, maybe the pitching numbers will help.
The Vols' pitching staff — despite playing 19 games in a hitter-friendly stadium — is absolutely dominating this spring.
Tennessee's ERA leads the nation. The next closest school is Virginia with a 2.33 ERA.
The Vols also lead the nation in fewest hits allowed per nine innings (5.41) and WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched).
If Tennessee gets such an advantage by playing in a hitter-friendly stadium, then why isn't the Vols' starting pitching getting roughed up?
It's because the narrative that Tennessee is only a good offensive team because they play in Lindsey Nelson Stadium is complete nonsense.
The Vols are the best team in the nation right now. And they'd be the best team in the nation regardless of where they play.
Maybe we can finally stop with the silliness about Tennessee's hitters being good only because they play in a hitter-friendly stadium.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
